Chesterfield 1 Gillingham 0: League 2 match report from the SMH Group Stadium

Gillingham were unable to make the pressure count at Chesterfield as they were beaten again.

A positive start from the Gills on Tuesday night was halted by Sam Curtis’ 16th-minute opener for Chesterfield. In similar circumstances to the weekend game at Crewe, Gareth Ainsworth’s men were unable to make the most of their big moments and lost to a set-piece.

Defeat leaves the Gills further adrift in the race for the League 2 play-off places.

Gills manager Ainsworth made four changes to his starting line-up as older heads Garath McCleary and Sam Vokes dropped to the bench in a change of players and formation.

Sam Gale returned to his more natural central defensive role as Ainsworth switched to wing-backs. Andy Smith was also recalled into defence as loan man Travis Akomeah was dropped to the bench.

At the other end, Bradley Dack was in the starting XI again as support for the front two of Ronan Hale and Josh Andrews.

Both sides had disappointing weekend results to bounce back from. The Gills - starting the night nine points off the play-off places in 14th - lost 1-0 at Crewe, while Chesterfield had to settle for a point in a 1-1 home draw against relegation-threatened Harrogate.

Gillingham started well and had a flurry of throws that Remeao Hutton launched into the Chestefield box. It was an early bombardment from the visitors, which also included a free-kick and a couple of corners, but the home side defended well.

The defending from The Gills was less impressive as Chesterfield scored against the run of play.

Ainsworth had been critical of his team’s set-piece defensive work after conceding from one at Crewe. It was from a corner that they went behind to this time.

Liam Mandeville crossed, Sil Swinkels won the flick on and